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Reds manager Dusty Baker told MLB.com on Friday that he might rest Orlando Cabrera during the weekend series against the Pirates. Cabrera, who has been nursing an oblique injury, did not start on Friday and has missed three straight games.



Orlando Cabrera - Dusty Baker - Cincinnati Reds - Manager - Disabled list

OK, let's summarize: Tennessee Bruce Pearl lied to the NCAA about illegal phone calls during an investigation into possible violations. It's a dicey situation and it leads to Gary Parrish and a scandal-filled edition of Five for Friday.



Bruce Pearl - National Collegiate Athletic Association - Tennessee - Basketball - United States

Reds OF Jay Bruce told MLB.com before Friday's game against the Pirates that he has felt no pain in his sore right side over the past few days but was still unavailable. "It's not something I'm going to push at this point," Bruce said Friday. "I've taken the process this far. I'm going to see it through. When I come back, I want to be 100 percent ready to come back -- not 90 percent, not 80 percent." Bruce has missed 10 consecutive games with the injury.



Jay Bruce - Cincinnati Reds - MLB.com - Games - Video Games

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told MLB.com that DH Jim Thome took some swings in the batting cage and should return to the lineup Saturday. Thome, who did not play in Friday's game against the Indians, was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with a mild abdominal strain. "He's feeling a lot better today," Gardenhire said.



Ron Gardenhire - Jim Thome - Designated hitter - sport - Home

Right-hander Frank Francisco still was unable to throw on Friday, because of a strained muscle in his right side. Francisco hasn't pitched in a game since Aug. 27. Washington said Francisco can be in the bullpen if the Rangers make the playoffs, but Francisco has to get back on the mound in either a regular game or a simulated game before he'd be included on the division series roster. "We'd like to know he's healthy, make an appearance ... give you an inning, put the ball where he needs to put it," manager Ron Washington said. "I want to see him pitch, period." According to MLB.com, Francisco is expected to undergo another MRI on Monday, which could determine when he can resume throwing. "It feels better," Francisco said. "I've done a lot of exercises and weight lifting, but I haven't thrown. I want to make sure I come back 100 percent."



Ron Washington - Frank Francisco - Texas Rangers - Bullpen - Manager

According to MLB.com, Phillies closer Brad Lidge said he's "good to go" after playing catch before Friday's game with the Mets. Lidge hyperextended his right elbow last Saturday against Milwaukee and has pitched just twice since Monday. "I didn't throw off the mound, but I let it go pretty good," Lidge said. Manger Charlie Manuel said Lidge would be available to pitch, if needed. "He threw yesterday and felt good," Manuel said. "He played catch with Dubee. He didn't throw off a mound. He felt real good."



Brad Lidge - Charlie Manuel - Philadelphia Phillies - New York Mets - Sports

Orioles INF Jake Fox was in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Tigers. Friday marked the first time the 27-year-old has been in the starting lineup since Aug. 28. "It's frustrating," Fox said. "Being a competitor, you want to get in there and show them what you can do, especially under new management. You understand when you get brought into an organization they have a list of guys that they have to get a look at first. I think they brought me here because they liked the way I played, and they liked the way I hit."



Baltimore Orioles - Jake Fox - Starting lineup - Detroit Tigers - Fox Broadcasting Company

Despite his recent struggles, Toronto SP Marc Rzepczynski will remain in the Blue Jay's rotation and make his scheduled start Monday at Baltimore. "We're going to run him back out there again and see what happens with him," manager Cito Gaston said. "If he continues to struggle we might do that. I don't know where his best spot is. Maybe he's going to be better in the bullpen, I don't know." Rzepczynski allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings in his last start Wednesday against the Rangers.



Cito Gaston - Toronto Blue Jays - Marc Rzepczynski - Starting pitcher - Blue Jay

Steelers QB Byron Leftwich (knee) has officially been ruled out for Week 1 against the Falcons. He did not practice all week. Charlie Batch will now back up Dennis Dixon, who is starting in the place of the injured Ben Roethlisberger.



Dennis Dixon - Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers - Byron Leftwich - Charlie Batch

Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson (back strain) rejoined the team on Friday after going back to Florida to have his shoulder and back examined. The All-Star right-hander stopped a bullpen session early on Tuesday because of discomfort in his back. He was supposed to have started Friday's game in Washington, but was scratched. Johnson hopes to be able to pitch Wednesday against Philadelphia but will be cautious. "I'm looking forward to throwing once it calms down," Johnson said. With about four possible starts left in the season, Johnson said he wants to pitch again in 2010. "If it feels better in the next couple of days, why not?" Johnson said. He hopes to throw in the bullpen this weekend. "We'll see how it responds. It felt better each day," Johnson said. Manager Edwin Rodriguez said he'd like to see Johnson pitch again this season, but wouldn't hesitate to end his year if there's any risk of injury. "If there's any chance of him getting worse, we're going to shut him down for the rest of the season," Rodriguez said.



Josh Johnson - Washington - Florida Marlins - Pitcher - Edwin Rodriguez

Aaron Harang is headed to the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen. The right-hander lost his spot in the rotation on Friday, perhaps the final move for his career in Cincinnati. He was sidelined by back spasms for two months. In two starts since he was activated off the disabled list, Harang gave up seven runs and 12 hits in 6 1/3 innings. The Reds are trying to set up their rotation for a stretch run to make the playoffs, and Harang is the odd man out. "He's going to the bullpen," manager Dusty Baker said. "That's where he started in Oakland, so he has a pretty good idea what he has to do about warming up. That's the way it's been lately - his nemesis inning has been the third or fourth - so if he comes in middle- or long-relief, that could be a useful situation for him and for us." Edinson Volquez will take Harang's spot and start Saturday against Pittsburgh.



Cincinnati Reds - Dusty Baker - Aaron Harang - Disabled list - Edinson Volquez

In Monday night's opener against the Chargers, Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles will try to continue a streak of 100-yard games that he started at the end of the 2009 season. Charles ran for 143 yards against Buffalo, 154 yards vs. Cleveland, 102 yards against Cincinnati and then 259 yards vs. Denver. Charles says he's not concerned about who the starting running back will be, as he is competing with Thomas Jones for carries. "It's not about you, it's about the team," Charles said. "I'm not worried about being the starter. It's about this game, San Diego. Go in the game, do what you do and make some big plays."



San Diego Chargers - Thomas Jones - Jamaal Charles - Cincinnati - Running back

Chiefs QB Matt Cassel faces a tough opponent in his Week 1 matchup with the Chargers. In four career meetings against San Diego, Cassel has averaged just 123 yards passing while throwing just two touchdown passes and six interceptions. Last season the Chiefs lost both games against San Diego by a combined 59 points, while Cassel threw for a combined 275 yards with one TD and four INTs. “As a quarterback, you have to have a short memory,” Cassel said. “You got to let the bad ones go and move on. I moved on.”



Matt Cassel - San Diego Chargers - San Diego - Quarterback - Touchdown

49ers coach Mike Singletary hinted that rookie RB Anthony Dixon may see some snaps if Sunday's game against the Seahawks gets one-sided. "I would like to see him get a chance to play more than special teams, but we'll have to see how the game goes," Singletary said. Frank Gore is expected to get the bulk of work in the backfield against the 15th ranked run defense (111.0 ypg) from 2009. Brian Westbrook will back him up.



Frank Gore - Mike Singletary - San Francisco 49ers - Brian Westbrook - Seattle Seahawks

Despite being just 5'8 and 170 pounds, Chiefs WR Dexter McCluster has no shortage of confidence. The first year rookie out of Mississippi dismisses those who question his size by comparing himself to 5'6 Darren Sproles, who he will face in his Week 1 matchup against the Chargers. "He's still out there, and he's played what, five or six years? I always had confidence in myself, but he's a guy you can point to and say, 'Look at what he's done," McCluster said. McCluster rushed for 108 yards and had 40 yards receiving during the preseason.



Darren Sproles - Dexter McCluster - Mississippi - Wide receiver - San Diego Chargers

Chiefs WR Chris Chambers played in four with the Chargers last season before being dealt to the Chiefs. He did well in his lone game against his former team in 2010 catching seven balls for 70 yards and a touchdown. He has faced the Chargers four times in his career and has 23 total receptions and averaged 76 yards receiving per contest with two TDs.



San Diego Chargers - Chris Chambers - Kansas City Chiefs - NFL - Wide receiver

Carl Edwards will start from the pole position in the final race of NASCAR's "regular season" on Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.



NASCAR - Carl Edwards - Richmond International Raceway - Auto racing - sport

Chiefs RB Thomas Jones will make his regular season debut on Monday night against the Chargers. Jones joined the Chiefs via free agency after spending the last three seasons with the Jets. In four career meetings with the Chargers, Jones has averaged 44 yards rushing per game and has not scored in any of the contests. The Chiefs ranked 11th in rushing last season.



San Diego Chargers - Thomas Jones - Kansas City Chiefs - Monday Night Football - NFL

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said left-hander Jose Mijares (torn meniscus in right knee) threw a simulated game on Friday and will come off the disabled list Saturday. Mijares underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Aug. 16 and hasn't pitched in a game since Aug. 11.



Ron Gardenhire - Left-handedness - Disabled list - José Mijares - Arthroscopy